New York City
Results of two recent independent research studies find that TeachNet is effectively impacting both teachers and students in New York City public schools. According to one study, students taught with TeachNet-developed curriculum showed greater achievement gains than students taught with traditional methods of instruction. Research also showed that teachers who participated in TeachNet used their technology in the classroom more often than other technology teachers, and increased technology integration in the classroom overall. TeachNet teachers also gave higher ratings to our professional development than teachers instructed by others. According to one TeachNet member: “Through the opportunities afforded through TeachNet, my students' learning experience was richer than your typical classroom. Students were more motivated and put more effort into their learning when technology was effectively integrated.” LINK TO STUDY.

Maine
The Maine TeachNet case study summarizes the impact of Maine’s Center for Education Services Program—funded from 1999-2005 with a federal Technology Innovation Challenge Grant. The evaluation proved that the use of TeachNet within a structured process of teacher-to-teacher collaboration directly impacted student achievement. The evaluators also found that TeachNet had a profound influence on the teachers involved—resulting in increased technology skills and capacities; improved confidence; greater energy and motivation; and made available a network of professionals upon which they could draw for learning and support—thereby decreasing the isolation so common in teachers. Most importantly, the study found that TeachNet Developers and Adaptors—working throughout in collaboration—were significantly more likely to improve student achievement according to identified performance indicators of the Maine Learning Results. LINK TO STUDY.

Ireland
TeachNet Ireland has demonstrated that it is of vital importance to provide both pedagogical and technical support to classroom teachers to assist them in developing and publishing curriculum materials online—ultimately to affect teacher professionalism, retention, and, of course, student achievement. TeachNet has proven to be an exceptional professional development model to accomplish the above; this impact is particularly maximized when a strong relationship is established between a teacher and his/her mentor. TeachNet Ireland is committed to continue to develop a more robust support structure utilizing technology to overcome practical constraints such as meeting face-to-face and the busy schedules of both teachers and mentors. Moreover, the evaluation indicates that there is a high degree of “re-usability” among all TeachNet projects—allowing exponential success by having other teachers adapt the content for use in their own classrooms throughout the nation and beyond. LINK TO STUDY.